Exposition of Acts: Filling the Ranks
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A Sermon by Dr. Bob Griffin, Teaching Elder at Sovereign Grace Church
I. ACTION OF JUDAS
A. GUILT
1. APPEAL
Mt 27:3 At that time Judas, His betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned. He was regretful and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders,
2. ADMISSION
Mt 27:4 saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us? That’s your responsibility.” (II Cor 7:10 Mt 27:24)
B. GRIEF
1. AFFLICTED
Mt 27:5a And throwing the silver pieces in the temple, he departed and went into the night (Heb 11:24-26; Deut 27:25)
2. AFTERMATH
Acts 1:15-17 In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the gathering of people included about 120 individuals) and said, “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. “For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry”
II. REWARD OF JUDAS
A. GORE
1. ABANDONED
Mt 27:5c and hanged himself. Acts 1:18b . . . and falling head-first, his body split open and his internal organs spilled out. (Jn 17:12; Deut 19:16-21)
2. AMBIGUOUS
Mt 27:6 But the chief priests, picking up the silver, said, “It is not lawful to put it in the offering, since it is blood money.” (Deut 23:18)
B. GRAVE
1. APPROVAL
Mt 27:7 So they deliberated and used it to purchase a potter’s field as a burial place for gentiles, Acts 1:18a a field with the reward of his wickedness
2. AKELDAMA
Acts 1:19 This became known to all the residents of Jerusalem, so that the field was named in their own language ‘Akeldama’, that is, ‘Field of Blood’. (Jer 19:6, 11)
III. REPLACEMENT OF JUDAS
A. GATHER
1. ABDICATE
Acts 1:20 “For it is written in the Book of Psalms, “‘May his home become desolate, and let there be no one to dwell in it’; and “‘Let another take his office.’ (Ps 69:25; 109:8; I Sam 21-22; Eph 4:11)
2. ACCOMPANIED
Acts 1:21-22 So, one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when He was taken up from us – one of these men must be numbered with us as a witness to His resurrection.” (Lk 10:1-2)
B. GUIDANCE
1. ALLOWANCE
Acts 1:23-25 And they put forward two, Joseph son of Sabba (also called Justus), and Matthias. And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, Who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two You have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” (Acts 15:22; 1:14; Lk 6:12-13)
2. ACTION
Acts 1:26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles. (Prov 16:33; I Cor 15:8; Rev 21:14)
“Judas was filled with remorse, not repentance. He was sorrier for the result of his sin than for the sin itself” – Bob Griffin